South Side Man Dies In Fire

A 65-year-old South Side man was killed in an early morning fire Monday that was caused by careless use of smoking materials, according to police arson investigators.

The victim, William Lee, was found lying in the second-floor hallway outside his apartment at 4849 S. Ellis Ave.

He apparently was overcome by smoke and collapsed while attempting to flee to safety. Lee was pronounced dead at Chicago Osteopathic Medical Center.

Arson investigators said the fire began in Lee`s bedroom at the rear of the three-story brick building and spread to an upstairs apartment.

Several other residents fled safely after being awaken by smoke detectors when the fire broke out at 1:01 a.m.

In another early morning fire Monday, 29 persons were left homeless when a blaze gutted their bungalow at 1435 W. 109th Pl.

Fire officials said they had not determined the cause of the fire, in the 25- by 50-foot brick building. The Red Cross provided food and clothes for the five families, which included several infants and children.